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Montana State Plan for the 8 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM
Full Plan #25 Effective 01/01/2024 Supersedes #2 01/01/2021. assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.
B. TANF Eligible Individuals
Montana has established objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility to assure the applicant receives fair and equitable treatment. TANF Cash and TANF non-cash eligibility is outlined below. Eligible individuals include: 1. Minor children (under age 18 or if age 18 but less than 19, attending secondary school full-time). 2. Specified caretaker relatives with whom the minor child is living such as a parent (natural/adoptive parent or stepparent related by marriage to the child's natural/adoptive parent). Any relation by blood, marriage, or adoption who is within the fifth degree of kinship.
3. The minor child's blood-related/adoptive minor siblings or minor stepsiblings living with him/her. 4. Pregnant women in their last trimester who have no other eligible children. 5. Refugees, victims of severe forms of trafficking and other qualified aliens as defined in Title IV of Public Law 104-193 as amended. Aliens (unless excepted by federal law) who enter the United States on or after 8/22/96 are barred from receiving assistance for their first five years in qualified alien status. Individuals not eligible: 1. A minor child or a specified caretaker relative, who is temporarily absent from the home for a period greater than 90 consecutive days with the following exceptions: o The absent member is away from home for medical treatment and is otherwise eligible. o The child’s absence is for the sole purpose of attending a boarding school and the child is expected to return to the home at the end of the school term. o The absent adult is away from home for a specific short-term training or employment.
2. Minor children who are receiving Title IV-E Foster Care payments and whose absence from the home is not considered temporary.